Belvo Boys Help Ireland U17s To Next Phase Of Euro Qualifiers

The Republic of Ireland Under 17 side have qualified for the UEFA European U17 Championship Elite Round following this evening’s 3-0 win away to Bulgaria.

Former Belvo boys Oisin McEntee (Newcastle) and Sean Brennan (Southampton) both started the game while Troy Parrott (Tottenham) was on the bench.

The win followed Tuesday’s 6-0 win over Azerbaijan and ensured Colin O’Brien’s side sealed progression to the Elite Round with a game to spare.

Ireland will face fellow table toppers Ukraine on Monday needing just a point to confirm their progression as group winners thanks to their superior goal difference.

Following his hat-trick on Tuesday, Adam Idah picked up where he left off with a goal after just three minutes. Idah beat the offside trap to get on the end of Nathan Collins’ long ball to give Ireland the dream start.

Barry Coffey doubled the lead in the 17th minute with a ferocious finish from inside the area to give Ireland a commanding lead at the break.

O’Brien’s Ireland had to wait until eight minutes from time to add the third. Adam Idah showed impressive hunger to intercept a square ball from Gabriel Zemarski. He then beat Tomaslav Papazov and smashed the ball into the far corner to put the icing on a fantastic performance. Five goals in two games for the Cork man.

Attention now turns to Monday's showdown with Ukraine where top spot in the group is on offer for the winners.